It is just over a month until Leeds United and Everton do battle at Elland Road on August 18, the club’s first game back in the Premier League and there is already plenty of needle.
The clash sees Angus Kinnear return to Elland Road at the very first opportunity, having chosen to leave Leeds after eight years as the club’s chief executive. He has taken up a similar role with Everton.
Already, Kinnear has managed to lure Nick Hammond to Merseyside. Hammond had been working with Leeds as a transfer advisor, while Jack Harrison is back at Leeds after two years on loan at Everton.
The chances are, that Harrison will leave Leeds before the opener but The Whites are struggling to find a buyer. However, Leeds’ latest announcement has now left Everton and Kinnear with egg on their face.
Angus Kinnear during Leeds United vs Hull City.
Photo by Alex Dodd – CameraSport via Getty Images
Leeds United secure Dan James future despite Everton interest
On Monday evening, Leeds confirmed that winger Dan James had put pen to paper on a four-year deal at Elland Road until June 2029. It is a crucial deal, not just because James was Leeds’ Player of the Season.
But also, James had entered the final year of his previous deal and it ends any doubt over his future. It is also crucial for player amortisation, spreading the cost of the remaining £5m following his £25m signing.
However, and perhaps most enjoyable for those of a Leeds persuasion, it leaves Kinnear and Everton with egg on their face. Everton were said to be interested in signing James, after saying goodbye to Harrison.
The official Everton Club Badge.
Photo by Visionhaus
As aforementioned, Kinnear had already stolen Hammond from Leeds. A big blow given the success that Hammond had at Leeds, leaving Leeds with Adam Underwood, unproven in his sporting director role.
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But Leeds agreeing a new deal for James ends any chance of Kinnear raiding his old side again for one of their most-important figures in James. The Welshman is settled and can now focus on all things Leeds.
Leeds could line up with a recognisable side to Everton fans
With Harrison still having three years left on his Leeds contract after returning to Elland Road from Everton, and James signing on, it could see Leeds boast a front three that could have been Everton’s.
Before Joel Piroe signed for Leeds, Everton made an enquiry to Swansea for the Dutchman, too. There is a world then that Everton may have had a front three of Harrison, Piroe and James under David Moyes.
There is a very real chance that Everton could face the same front three, but that hinges on Leeds not signing a new striker and choosing to keep Harrison. There is a void on the left after Manor Solomon left.